Although the challenges brought about by COVID-19 are subsiding, it is crucial to recognize the impact that the pandemic has had on our hearts, minds and bodies.
In recognition of the hard work and dedication of our Hafetz and Associates team to service our clients without interruption throughout the pandemic, company President Scott Hafetz hosted a team-building event in St. Petersburg, Florida for staff and brokers.
Our team enjoyed a wonderful team building event in beautiful surroundings – leaving everyone feeling recharged, reinvigorated and excited to provide clients with dedicated, exceptional service.
We remain committed and appreciative of your loyalty. Thank you!
Under the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), among other significant items, imposed new obligations for employers pursuant to COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). COBRA allows group coverage to continue after specific events. ARPA requires employers to provide COBRA premium subsidies to certain employees from April 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2021. It’s important to know if your insurance plan will be affected by this law. That is why Hafetz and Associates is here to guide you through it.
Employers that do NOT have a third-party COBRA administrator and those that are under 20 employees and subject to New Jersey Continuation (mini-COBRA) rules are required to notify their employees about the COBRA subsidies and the change in benefits under ARPA. If you need assistance notifying your employees of these changes, our Legal Update FAQs for COBRA Subsidy in the ARPA provides more information.
As always, Hafetz is here to help. Give us a call or complete our online form and one of our knowledgeable brokers will contact you promptly.
Health and wellness tips for your work, home and life – brought to you by the insurance professionals at Hafetz & Associates
Even if your job requires you to sit for eight or more hours, you can combat the effects of prolonged sitting with a variety of one-minute office workouts—right at your desk—to keep yourself active and improve your body’s strength and flexibility.
For Lower Body Strength
Sit in your chair. Extend one leg out in front of you. Hold it straight for five seconds. Raise it as high as you can and hold for five more seconds. Switch legs and repeat, for a total of three times on each side.
For Your Core and Arms
Sit in your chair with your legs crossed in front of you (like a pretzel), and your feet on the seat. Place your hands on the armrests, engage your core and raise yourself a couple inches above the seat. Hold for 10 seconds. Rest a few seconds, and repeat five more times.
For Your Biceps
Sit tall with your abs pulled in. Hold a dumbbell or filled water bottle in one hand, with your arm stretched out straight and your palm facing the ceiling. Curl it up towards your shoulder and then back to the starting position 15 times. Alternate arms, and repeat.
To Stretch Stiff Muscles and Relieve Tension
Sit straight, facing forward. Turn your head to the left while turning your torso to the right. Hold for 5 seconds. Keep alternating sides for a total of 60 seconds.
Every Little Bit Counts
The impact of movement – even a leisurely walk – can be compelling. The muscle activity needed to move the body triggers important processes related to the breakdown of fats and sugars. This burns more calories, which can lead to weight loss and increased energy. In contrast, these processes stall when sitting, and health risks increase. Standing and actively moving kicks the body’s vital processes back into action.
The following are easy ways to incorporate movement into your workday:
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Go for brief walks as often as possible.
Walk or go to the gym during your break.
Remember to consult with a doctor before starting any type of exercise regime.
Hafetz stands ready to help New Jersey residents navigate the state’s new health insurance marketplace
The Individual Insurance Enrollment Period for 2021 continues into the new year until January 31, 2021. New Jersey now has its own health care coverage marketplace and additional subsidies for 2021. The Hafetz team recently launched its new website, NJMarketplace.com, to help New Jersey residents shop for Individual Healthcare Insurance plans, providing assistance-free, no-obligation consultations and enrollment for qualified New Jersey residents.
“We encourage New Jersey residents to shop the marketplace with Hafetz and Associates to see just how much they can save,” said Hafetz and Associates President Scott Hafetz. “Our team is eager to help you pick the best plan for you and your family, at no additional charge.”
The Hafetz team stands ready to help New Jersey residents navigate the state’s new healthcare insurance program. Hafetz and Associates continues to be a trusted and devoted advisor, and is committed to using its experience and knowledge to provide the highest quality service to its clients.
Prepare for the Individual Insurance Enrollment Period by filling out the form for your FREE consultation at NJMarketplace.com or call 609-872-0001, option 2.
Hafetz stands ready to help New Jersey residents navigate the state’s new health care insurance marketplace
The Individual Healthcare Insurance Enrollment period for 2021 began Sunday, November 1 and continues until January 31, 2021. New Jersey now has its own health care coverage marketplace, and Hafetz and Associates, along with their new website NJMarketplace.com, provides assistance for a free, no-obligation consultations and enrollment for qualified New Jersey residents.
“We understand that the new insurance marketplace offered by New Jersey can be confusing,” said Hafetz and Associates President Scott Hafetz. “No one needs to navigate it alone. The Hafetz team is ready to help you pick the best plan for you and your family, at no additional charge to you.”
Hafetz and Associates helps New Jersey residents navigate the state’s new health care insurance program. Through highly personal attention and exceptional customer service for over 30 years, Hafetz and Associates has been a trusted and devoted advisor.
Prepare for the Individual Open Enrollment Period by filling out the form for your FREE consultation at NJMarketplace.com or call 609-872-0001.
Enrolling in Medicare can be confusing. AtHafetz and Associates we have a team of dedicated and unbiased licensed insurance consultants who are trusted advisors who can provide invaluable guidance as we research and compare insurance plans that are right for you. Having an expert who can help guide you through the structure, plans, benefits and costs of Medicare can make a big difference as you explore your options at no additional cost to you!
Here are five things you should know about enrolling in Medicare:
Enrollment is not always automatic when you turn 65. You’ll have to sign yourself up for Medicare on or around your 65th birthday, unless you’re receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits before you turn 65.
Find out well before your 65th birthday when your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) dates are and put them in your calendar. Around your 65th birthday (or 25th disability check), you’ll have a 7-month window of time when you can sign up for Medicare (your IEP). Your IEP includes your 65th birthday month, the 3 months before and the 3 months after.
If you’re planning to work past the age of 65, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare. If you have credible health care from your employer, or are covered under a spouse’s health care plan, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that will allow you to delay enrolling without penalty. There are exceptions – for example, if your company employs less than 20 people, you will need to enroll in Medicare during your IEP.
There are several parts to Medicare coverage and many coverage choices to consider. Your personal situation (health and lifestyle needs, your employment status, health conditions, prescription drug use and if you need dental or vision coverage) will determine which parts of Medicare you should enroll in.
Hafetz and Associates will guide you through every step of Medicare Enrollment and determine your best coverage needs, at no additional cost to you. You need not navigate the many Medicare decisions and choices alone. A knowledgeable Hafetz Medicare Consultant can take you through the entire process and develop and coverage plan that fits your unique needs for FREE. If you’re nearing the age of 65, visit our website or give us a call today at 609-872-0001. We’re here to help!
Free Zoom Seminars
Hafetz and Associates will present free Medicare seminars several times a month from through December online via Zoom.
The seminars will discuss the basic parts of Medicare including Medicare Part A and Part B, Part C Advantage plans, Part D prescription plans and supplemental plan coverage. Following each seminar will be a question and answer session, as well an opportunity to schedule a private consultation with a Hafetz Medicare representative.
This is an opportunity to ensure that everyone is knowledgeable about their Medicare plans and benefits.
The Free Zoom Medicare Education Seminar schedule is as follows:
Participants will need to download the ZOOM app to their computer, tablet or cell phone via zoom.us prior to the seminar. If interested, visit this link and click on the seminar of your choice to RSVP; a Hafetz Medicare representative will then send you the meeting number and password.
Hafetz also offers a variety of health and dental insurance products and services for both groups and individuals, making the switch to Medicare seamless. Licensed consultants may also provide information to employed seminar attendees on the benefits of choosing to transition from their Group plan to Medicare, and which plan is best for their situation.
About Hafetz and Associates
Hafetz & Associates provides individual and group employee health products through innovative and cutting-edge ideas tailored to meet every client’s specific needs. Through highly personal attention and exceptional customer service for over 30 years, Hafetz and Associates is a trusted and devoted advisor.
For more information about Hafetz and Associates, visit hafetzandassociates.com or call 609-872-0001.
Hafetz and Associates saves businesses money and time by delivering cutting-edge digital HR solutions.
EaseHR is the affordable HR solution offered to our client healthcare groups with 20-75 employees. With EaseHR, your HR admin can easily streamline and digitize your HR processes to better support your employees.
EaseHR Benefits
One Login—Employees only need one login and password for onboarding, benefits, & HR.
Increase Engagement—Employers can easily engage employees with mobile HR tools and push notifications.
Leverage Existing Data—Once an employee is set up in Ease, their information is synced across the entire system.
Stay Compliant—Employers can manage HR policies online so it’s easy for groups to follow company policies.
EaseHR Features
Time-Off Management—HR administrators will be able to:
Set up holidays and manage custom PTO policies.
Review PTO for everyone in the company.
Metrics—Data in EaseHR can be leveraged by administrators to make companywide decisions.
With EaseHR, decision makers can have:
Comprehensive HR data all in one place.
Data broken down by organization, distribution, diversity, and growth.
Org Chart—Administrators can easily manage workflow charts.
They also will have the ability to:
See teams broken down by employees and their managers.
Assign employees a manager within the org chart.
To learn more about EaseHR, watch this video and call Hafetz and Associates today!
Enrolling in Medicare can be confusing. Here are five things to know to help you better prepare for the process:
Enrollment is not always automatic when you turn 65. You’ll have to sign yourself up for Medicare on or around your 65th birthday, unless you’re receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits before you turn 65.
Find out well before your 65th birthday when your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) dates are and put them in your calendar. Around your 65th birthday (or 25th disability check), you’ll have a 7-month window of time when you can sign up for Medicare (your IEP). Your IEP includes your 65th birthday month, the 3 months before and the 3 months after.
If you’re planning to work past the age of 65, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare. If you have credible health care from your employer, or are covered under a spouse’s health care plan, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that will allow you to delay enrolling without penalty. There are exceptions – for example, if your company employs less than 20 people, you will need to enroll in Medicare during your IEP.
There are several parts to Medicare coverage and many coverage choices to consider. Your personal situation (health and lifestyle needs, your employment status, health conditions, prescription drug use and if you need dental or vision coverage) will determine which parts of Medicare you should enroll in.
Hafetz and Associates will guide you through every step of Medicare Enrollment and determine your best coverage needs, at no additional cost to you. You need not navigate the many Medicare decisions and choices alone. A knowledgeable Hafetz Medicare Consultant can take you through the entire process and develop and coverage plan that fits your unique needs for FREE. If you’re nearing the age of 65, give us a call today. We’re here to help!
We know how it is. Once a year you get an email or see a flyer from management that the benefits consultants are coming out for an enrollment or renewal meeting – discussing your current health insurance plan, addressing what plan you will have the following year, and answering any questions you may have. You sit through their meeting as they go over the main benefits of your latest health insurance policy and you think, “Yeah, yeah, this all sounds fine. I don’t really use the insurance anyway.” You understand the gist of how your plan works and that is all well and good. You only go to the doctor once a year anyway for your physical or if you can’t shake that stingy flu. All of those examples that the benefits consultants discussed don’t really matter to you.
Flash forward a few months
later to yourself in the Emergency Room with a crazy pain in your side and doctors
telling you that you’ll have to have your gallbladder removed. The only thing
you are concerned with in that moment is how are the doctors going to get the
pain to stop. No thoughts about deductibles, or what your coinsurance or max
out of pocket is – you just want the hospital staff to do whatever it takes to
get you well.
You have emergency surgery,
spend a few nights in the hospital and then you go home to recover before returning
back to work. About a month later, bills from providers begin to clutter your
mailbox! Physician bills, anesthesia bill, facility bill, etc. – each one seeking
different sums of money. Why do you have so many bills? How is it that they are
asking for so much money? I thought insurance was supposed to take care of all of
this!
Now. Hit the pause button
and do not panic. Do you remember a few months back that the benefits
consultants told you they have a dedicated team of Medical Billing Advocates that
are there to help you with current medical bills? Time to reach out to a
Medical Billing Advocate!
To reach the claims
department, please send us your most recent related provider bill to claims@srhafetz.com. Once we have the claim(s), we’ll research
it to make sure everything has processed properly according to your plan. If we
find an issue, we’ll get it resolved and go over the details with you. We
believe in not only making sure the claim is processed correctly, but that you
understand why they processed as they did. Sometimes if everything has
processed correctly, but it is still a lot of money that the provider is asking
for, we can offer some tips to get that amount possibly lowered or see if it
can be broken down to monthly payments. After our review of your claims, you
may not necessarily owe any less, but you will know why you owe what you owe
and have the peace of mind that your insurance worked the way it was supposed
to and you will be confident in paying these bills.
Hafetz & Associates is
here for you. Our claims department will make the calls and emails, establishing
communication with the providers and insurance carriers for you – saving you countless hours on the phone. At
Hafetz & Associates, our Medical Billing Advocates are there to ensure that
you do not pay one penny more than you should.
We know understanding your
health insurance plan can be tough and our team is there to relieve you of the
burden after you’ve been recently sick or injured. If you or loved ones
have medical bills that need to be reviewed, please call our team today at 609-872-0001.
Our Hafetz team is here for you!
Jen Cocoma Hafetz & Associates Medical Billing Advocate Supervisor
Hafetz and Associates offers leading technology, HR Benefits Tech and
the best benefits technology solutions to give their clients a competitive
edge.
HR Benefits Tech provides automation, so clients feel confident knowing that the benefits election process is completed accurately, in less time, with less effort. Hafetz and Associates provides the best for its clients by using two platforms; Ease and Employee Navigator.
“These platforms aim at making the selection process easier for
companies large and small; simplifying and streamlining the administration of
their clients’ benefits with efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation,” explained
Scott Hafetz, president of Hafetz and Associates.
Ease
Ease is an online
benefits enrollment platform powered by brokers and integrated with other HR
technology solutions; making the benefits election easier for companies and its
employees. Ease eliminates paper forms, provides side-by-side plan comparisons,
uses e-signatures and accesses real-time updates during open enrollment. Employers
can also create and send offer letters, complete and e-sign W-4 and I-9 forms,
and collect direct deposit information.
Employee Navigator:
Employee Navigator is a benefits
HR and compliance software for brokers and their clients, providing a solution
to manage everything from benefits administration to onboarding and PTO and
vacation tracking to make running a business easier. Employee Navigator
allows companies and agencies to extend the use of the application and for them
to integrate other systems and access them all through one platform.
